Topic: Minidv tape broke - how to fix?

[fanofthemule]

I made the mistake of trying to use one of those tape rewinders to save a little wear and tear on the camera.  The second tape I put in it got stuck and the tape broke 

What's my best bet to get this fixed so I can get the footage off the tape?

[spreadheadtom]

I made the mistake of trying to use one of those tape rewinders to save a little wear and tear on the camera.  The second tape I put in it got stuck and the tape broke 

What's my best bet to get this fixed so I can get the footage off the tape?

I would think to do like we had to do "back in the day" with cassettes.  Scotch tape.

[stantheman1976]

If you decide to try that method make a clean cut on each side so there are no jagged edges and put tape on the back side only.  I would also use a cheap camera that is expendable if you have one.  If it works output the AVI back to a new tape and throw the damaged one out.

[fanofthemule]

Part of my problem is I only have one end of the tape, the other end is sucked back up into the tape 

[spreadheadtom]

Part of my problem is I only have one end of the tape, the other end is sucked back up into the tape 

pop it open..tape it back together.  You only need it to work once to transfer it

[guitard]

Part of my problem is I only have one end of the tape, the other end is sucked back up into the tape 

pop it open..tape it back together.  You only need it to work once to transfer it

Yep.

You are going to have to open up the tape either way.

I'd get a throwaway tape of the same brand and open that one first - don't dismantle it - just open it up and set it aside.

Then open up the broken tape, fix it up as best you can, and then put it back together.  If you run into problems trying to figure out how it all goes back together - use the open throwaway tape as a reference.

[keytohwy]

If you decide to try that method make a clean cut on each side so there are no jagged edges and put tape on the back side only.  I would also use a cheap camera that is expendable if you have one.  If it works output the AVI back to a new tape and throw the damaged one out.

I'm in the same boat.  To be clear, the "back" of the tape is the outside side, right?

keytohwy

[stantheman1976]

The back of the tape is the side that's facing the inside of the tape.  When you open the cover to the tape the back is the side you won't see.  Only the outside part makes contact with the head so you want to put the tape on the back side that will not run across the head.